Poration



clearance from the high points of the threads Patented June 2'2, 1926.

'UNITED STATES' N1 ..i'r1s1\1-'rOFFICE.

EURLING n. wELLS, or DANEURY, CONNECTICUT', AssreNoR To MOLDED SOCKET COR- PORATION, or NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OE NEW JERSEY.

'METHOD AND HOLDS FOR MAKING ELECTRIC SOCKETS.

Original application filed September 10, 1923, Serial No. 661,758. Divided and this application filed september 15, 1925. serial No. 56,418.

.The main object of my -invention vis to provide a simple and reliable method of forming a socket for electric lamps and the like.

Another object is to provide molds 'or forming such sockets rapidlyv and uniformly and at a minimum expense. I

In carrying out my invention I provide molds or dies lfor holding a metal cu`p and compressing into such dies an insulating composition so as to simultaneously thread the metal sleeve or cup and form the body of the Socket.

This application is a division from 661,7 58 filed September 1Q, 1923. s p

Fig. l isA a vertical 4sectional view showing a set of molds or dies with-a blank in position to be threaded and incorporated in -the socket as the socket is formed from a molding' composition.

Fig. .2 is asimilar view of the molds showing a completed socket body.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing, the parts of the molds and the completed socket separated. p l A In molding sockets from insulating material I have found it advantageous to use a straight sided blank 5 to produce the screw shell contact rather than to. use a preformed' screw shell. The Straight sided lanks are a great deal cheaper to manufacture and easier to handle, and give results fully as good as can be obtained with a preformed blank. The dies or molds consist of three members, viz: the sectional lateral member 6, the" expansible lower die 7, 'and the punch 8. f The recess 9 is shaped accordingto the desired external design of the socket body, and may have a screw thread 10.

The die 7 is formed of a number of parts so that it may be expandedand collapsed. The upper end is threaded at 11y according to the screw thread -desired to be formed in the shell. This die 7 is centered at 12 in the lateral die 6.

The punch 8 is shaped at its lower end so as to form such recesses and passages as may be desired in the insulating body.

To mold the socket I 'd'ro`p/ a blank 5 over "the collapsible. piston or .mandrel 7. The blank 5 rests on the upper end of the mandrel while itsl side wall has an appreciable' 11 and its Tower edge rests tightly against a shoulder or ledge .13 on, the mandrel to prevent entrance of the moldingv material -between the screw shell blank and the mandrel. `The mandrel is Ainserted between the multi-part female die 6. The molding composition is. then poured on pushed intofth'e mold and the maledie 8 provided with extensions such as i4 and l5 to produce any desired recesses in the-body portion is' applied uto the top of the molding composition' portion of the socket is complete. The mold"- of the socket as shown in Fig. 3', and uponf separation of the parts or' the mold the body.

ing of the thread17 in the screw shell 'and i the provision of a lamp shade holder thread 18 during the molding operation result in marked economy in manufacturing molded sorets. 1

bvious y the vbody may be subsequently baked as desired.

This method eliminates the separate `op- 4 eration by which the shell 5 1s usually threaded. Furthermore the forming of the thread4 by the pressure on and through the molding composition stirs up. the composti'A tionV and ensures amore uniform mixture p and smooth finish. 'I Claim:

1.` The `method of producing a lamp socket body which comprises sup-porting a cylindrical metal blank on a screwthrea ed mandrel at one end of a die,v compressin molding composition. about theV blank unti the blank takes the shape of the. mandrel and withdrawing the mandrel and socket from the die.

2. The method of' producing a lamp socket body which comprises placing a threadless metal'blank on` a screw threaded mandrel at one end of a die, compressing cold vmoldable insulation about the blank mandrel, removing the molded material from the die and mandrel, and baking the molded material. 4

3..The method of producing a` lamp socket which comprises placing a screw threaded mandrel in one end of a multi ing member on the outside of-its neck, and

then separating'the' die and removing the mandrel from the socket. l

4.' Molds for forming a socket body comprising lateral sections having die faces for` forming the outerewall of a vsocket body, an expansible member formed of a plurality of parts and divided with an exterior thread- I.

ed Wall and means for .supporting and cen- .tering -a cup shaped metal blank and a.

punch member -for forcing molding composi* tion into the space between said lateral sections and simultaneously threading said blank.

5. Molds for'forming an electric socket 'body comprising lateral sections having adjacent facings designed to shape the exterior Wall of a socket body and provided with screw threads near one end, an expansible inner die having exterior threads, means for centering said die in said' sections and a punch member for forcing a molding com- ,position into said sections and about a blank Supported on said die and simultaneously forming an exteriorly threaded body 'and an interiorly threaded screw shell. 

